Vehicle-operated rocking gate



April 6 1926.

H. H. WOLFF VEHICLE OPERATED ROCKING GATE 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb.

April 6 1926.

H. H. WOLFF VEHICLE OPERATED ROCKING GATE Filed Feb. 10, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES HANS H. WOLFE, OF

DENVER, COLORADO.

VEHICLE-OPERATED ROCKING GATE.

Application flled February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hans H. WVOLFF, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Vehicle-Operated Rocking Gates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicle-operated rocking gates.

The main object of the invention is to provide a gate which is so arranged as to be opened by contact therewith of a slowly moving automobile, and which closes by gravity immediately after the passing of the vehicle.

Further, to provide a gate which is supported at its ends upon rockers of sufficient weight to normally hold the gate in a vertical or closed position, the gate being adapted to be moved to a horizontal position or so as to lie flat upon the ground, by engagement therewith of the bumpers or of the; forward wheels of a slowly moving automobile, thus permitting the automobile to pass over the gate, which is then automatically raised again to a vertical position by the weight of the rockers,'immediately after it is released by the automobile, thus eliminating manual eli'ort in either opening or closing the said gate.

These and other objects to be hereafter set forth, are accomplished by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a wooden gate constructed in accordance with my inventlon, the pits in which the rockers work being shown in section.

Figure 2 is an end view of the gate, the same being in a horizontal position, as when an automobile is passing over it, the rocker pit being in section.

Figure 3 is a front view of a gate constructed of metal tubing, but supported and operated in the same manner as the gate shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view artly in section of a cement rocker adapted for use in connection with a gate constructed of tubing;-

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a cement rocker adapted for use in connection with a wooden gate. 5

Figure 6 is a plan view of the rocker shown in Fi re 5 and showing the channel l e m e d d in h Wa te to which the 10, 19%5. Serial No. 8,196.

end uprights of the gate are adapted to be secured.

Figure 7 is a side view of a rocker having metal straps secured thereto and to the floor of the rocker pit to prevent endwise sliding movement of said rocker, the pit being shown in section.

Figure 8 is an end view of the rocker shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view through a portion of one end of the gate showin means for adjusting the gate vertically wit I respect to the rockers.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 1s a side view partly in section showing a modified form of rocker, the same having a coil spring seated in a socket in the tread thereof to facilitate its rocking movement, and to cushion the return of the gate from a horizontal to a vertical position.

Figure 12 shows still another form of rocker the same being provided with opposite springs which cushion the rocking movement of the gate, and assist the same in poovlng from a horizontal to a vertical posi- Figure 13 is a side view of a rocker in normal position and provided with hinged covers for the rocker pit, the pit being shown in section.

Fi we 14 is a view showing the rocker in a position at right angles to its normal position, as when the gate is flat upon the roadway, and

Figure 15 is a plan view of Figure 13 showing the hinged covers for the rocker pit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

The letter A indicates a gate constructed in accordance with my invention. This gate is made up of spaced horizontal bars or boards 1. which are secured at their ends between a pair of vertical end bars or posts 2, and between vertical bars 3 which are bolted to them midway of their length, and the gate is supported u on rockers which are made of any suitabe material such as iron or cement. In Figure 1 rockers 4 are shown which are made of iron, and which are of a size to insure ample weight for the purpose intended. These rockers are thick enough to give the required tread orbearing face and as shown in: Figure 2 they are of substantially semicircular form, each rockor eing fl t pped and h s a ur ed Col tread face which merges into a short flat face 6 at the lowest point of the rocker, or at a point directly under its center of gravity when the gate is in a vertical position. These flat surfaces 6 enable the rockers normally to maintain a position of rest or inaction, so that the gate will-not be rocked by the wind but will normally maintain a vertical position. An integral tongue 7 extends centrally from the top of the rocker, and this tongue is substantially the same width as the end rails or posts 2 of the gate and of the same thickness as the horizontal bars 1 of the gate, and this tongue fits between the lower ends of the said end rails or posts 2 and is secured to them by bolts 8 as shown.

The rockers rest upon the bottoms of pits 9, which are of the same depth as the height of a rocker, and the bottoms, the side walls and the end walls of these pits are of cement construction 10, as shown in Figure 1, or the pits may he faced with heavy planks 11, as shown in Figure 3. The pits are slightly longer than the rockers to permit the full swing of the rockers in either direction without contact with the ends of the pits, as will be understood by reference to Fi ure 2, and the said pits are also slightly wider than the thickness of the rockers, to permit the rockers to move freely, without contact with the sides of the pits.

In Figure 3 is shown a gate B constructed of horizontal metal tube sections 12, vertical end tube sections 13, and vertical center tube sections 14, the tube sections being connected together and to each other by T couplings or elbows 16 as the case may be. This style of gate may be used in connection with either the iron or the cement rockers, and assuming that the rockers 17 in Figure 3 are iron, the gate is secured to the said rockers in the following manner: A section of tubing 18 is rigidly secured in a hole in each rocker, centrally of its length and width, and extends a suitable distance above the top of the rocker. The tube 18 is of a. diameter to fit snugl in the lower end section 13 of the gate, an is held therein by a setscrew 19. This arrangement permits adjustment of the gate with respect to the rockers to establish the proper relation between the weight of the gate and the lifting power of the'rockers, so that the gate, when in a horizontal position, -may notoverbalance the rockers.

Figure 4 shows a cement rocker 20 also "adapted for use in.cpnnection'- with a gate made of tubing. A piece of'tubing" 21'is centered in the rocker while ina' plastic state, and when the cement bar-dens, the tube 21 is securely anchored in the rocker This tube fits in lower section of the gate, previously described. In Figures 5 and 6 a cement rocker is which is adapted the channels by block 33 is placed for use in connection with a wooden gate. In this arrangement channel irons 22 take the place of the tube 21, and the lower ends of the end bars 2 of the gate are secured in bolts 23, a filler block 24 being placed between the said end rails 2 as shown. If desired, the channels 22 may be extended to the top of the gate, and thus take the place of the wood and rails 2.

In Figures 7 and 8, a rocker 25 is shown in which angle bars 26 are used for the same purpose as the channels in Figures 5 and 6, and these angle bars, if desired, may also extend to the top of the gate and take the place of the end rails 2 of the gate. In connection with this rocker, means are shown for preventing endwise sliding move ment of the same, consisting of flexible straps 27 and 28 which are secured at one end to the respective end of the rocker, the other ends of the stra s being secured respectively to the opposite end of the bottom 29 of the pit. By this arrangement, when the gate is rocked in the direction of the arrow 30, the strap 27 will prevent endwise sliding movement of the rocker in that direction, and when rocked in the direction of the arrow 31, the'strap 28 acts to prevent sliding movement in that direction. In Figures 9 and 10, means are shown for a vertical adjustment of the gate with respect to the rockers, when a wooden gate is employed. In this arrangement the lower end portions of the end bars 32 of the be are placed in the channels, as shown, an a filler between them and rests on the top of the rocker 34. The end bars 32 are provided with vertical slots 35 adjacent to their lower ends, and a bolt 36 is passed through holes in the channels, through the slots 35, and through a hole in the filler block. A metal block 37 is placed between the end bars and rests upon the filler block 33, and this block is provided with an inclined slot 38, which is at an angle of about thirty degrees to the horizontal. end portlons of the channels are provided with vertical slots 39 and a bolt is passed through these slots and through holes in the end bars, and through the inclined slot 38 in themetal block 37. By this arrangement it will be seen that by tapping the block 37 on'one end with a hammer, the lower margin of the slot 38 acts to lift the bolt 40 by which the gate is also lifted, and when the block 37 is moved in the opposite direction the gate is lowered, and by tighte-ning'the nuts on the bolts the end. bars 32 are clamped between the channelson one side and the 'filler'block"33 and the metal bIock' 37 on the other side -thus securely holding the gate at any point of adjustment with respect to the rockers. By this means the 'gatemaiy be so adjusted with l espect to the wmghtcf the rockers, that it will not The upper over-balance the rockers when in a horizontal position. In Figures 11 and 12, a modification in the form of the rocker is shown, the rocker 41 shown in Figure 11 having a hole or socket 42 extending into it at its lowest point and in line with its center of gravity, in which is placed a strong coiled spring 43, the upper terminal of which may be secured in any suitable way to the end of the socket to hold the 5 ring in the said socket. This spring is un er tension when the gate is in a vertical position, and therefore assists in the rocking action of the gate in either direction, and also to cushion the gate as it rocks from a horizontal to a vertical position. The rocker 44 in Fig. 12 is cus ion the rocking movement of the gate in either direction, and also to assist in the lifting action of the rockers in raising the gate from a horizontal to a vertical position. The springs 45 are bolted at one end. to the respective ends of the rocker, and their free ends stand out from the tread surface of the rocker, so that they are alternately under tension as the rockers move to the right or left, and thus assist in restoring the gate to a vertical position.

In Figures 13, 14 and 15, a rocker is shown which is provided with covers which normally close the pits and thus prevent them from being filled with dirt, ground or other foreign matter, as well as snow.

.In carrying out this arrangement I provide a metal plate 46 having a central aperture 47 through which is passed the tongue 7 of the rocker, when an iron rocker is employed, or the tube 21 or channel irons 22, when a cement rocker is employed, and this plate rests fiat upon the top of the rocker, and extends over the sides of the pit. The plate is provided with hinge members 48, to which are connected hinge members 49 on cover plates 50, pins 51 passing through the hinge members in the usual manner. A spring 52 is mounted on the pins 51, the said spring having two coils through which the pins,

pass, and the end portions of the spring bear against the cover plates and normally hold them in Lit-closing position, as will be understood y reference to Figure 15. When the rocker swings to the left, the left hand cover plate is swung on its hinge pin and held in engagement with the ground surface by the spring 52, and slides on the ground until the rocker reaches the limit of its movement, when the said cover is at right angles to the top of the rocker, but the right hand cover plate is held against the top face of the rocker. When the rocker swings in the opposite direction, the right hand cover plate swings on its hinge pin and engages the ground surface and the opposite cover plate is held against the top of the rocker, and when the ga'f is in 11or rovided with springs 45 which act to mal vertical position, the plates cover the pit, as shown in Figure 13.

The gate is normally held in a vertical or closed position by the weight of the rocker, which is suflicient to hold the gate against the action of the wind. In practice, the driver of a car on approaching the gate, slows down his engine so as to prevent forcible contact of the wheels or of the bumper of the .car with the gate. The gate is thus pushed over gradually by the slowly moving car from a vertical to a horizontal position, thus permitting the car to pass over the gate. lVhen the hind wheels of the car pass off the gate, the rockers act by gravity to swing the gate again to a. vertical or closed position, the gate being adapted to be operated from either side.

With a gate of this character, the trouble and annoyance of manual effort in opening and closing the gate is eliminated, and the construction of the gate is such that it is not apt to get out of repair.

I claim- 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a roadway having pits on opposite sides thereof; of rockers in said pits and a gate secured at its ends to said rockers.

2. In a device of the character described. the combination with a roadway having pits on opposite sides thereof, of rockers in said pits the tread surfaces of which are curved from each end and merge into a flattened surface at their lowest points, said rockers being of a weight to overbalance said gate when the same is in a horizontal position, and swing it to a vertical position; and means whereby the gate may be adjusted vertically with respect to the rockers.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a gate having supporting rockers secured to the opposite ends thereof, of means for adjusting said gate with respect to the rockers, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by contact therewith of a moving vehicle whereby to permit the vehicle to pass over said gate, said rockers being of a weight to overbalance the weight of the gate and restore the same to a vertical position.

4. In a device of the character described, the. combination with rockers of a gate adjustablv connected at its ends to said rockers. and adapted to be swung to a horizontal position in contact with the ground by a moving vehicle, whereby to permit the vehicle to pass over said gate, said rockers being of a weight to restore the gate to a vertical position when released by the vehicle, and resilient means connected with said rockers, for cushioning the movements thereof.

5. The combination with a roadway having pits on opposite sides thereof, of roe};

ers in said pits and a gate adjustahl secured at its ends to said rockers, and hinged covers connected to said rockers for normally closing said pits, said gate being adapted to lift said gate when moved in tion in contact with the ground by a moving vehicle to permit said vehicle to pass over said gate, said rockers being of a weight to ovcrbalance the weight of the gate and restore it to a vertical position.

6. The combination with rockers having upright members; of a gate slidably connected at its ends to said upri ht members, and wedges supported on sai rockers and adapted to be swung to a horizontal posione direction, to adjust said gate with respect to said rockers, and means for clamping said gate to said upright members at any point of adjustment, said rockers being of a weight to maintain said gate normally in a vertical position and to swing said gate from a horizontal to a vertical position.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with rockers havin upright members, of a gate having cnc bars slidably connected to said upright members, bolts which pass through s ots in said upright members, and holes in said end bars, and wedges supported on said rockers and engaging said olts thereby to adjust said gate with respect to said rockers, a second bolt which passes through holes in said uprights and slots in said end rails said bolts being adjusted to clamp said end bars to said uprights in adjusted positions of said gate, said rockers bein of a weight to swing said gate to a vertica position, when the same has been swung to a. horizontal position, and in contact with the ground, by a moving vehicle.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with rockers having upright channel plates secured thereto; of a gate having vertical end bars which are slidably supported in said channel plates; blocks which rest in said rockers and in between said end rails, bolts which extend through holes in said channel plates and blocks and throu h slots in said end bars, wedges supporte on said blocks, having inclined slots, bolts which ass throu h slots in said channel plates t rough hoes in said end barn and through the inclined slots in said wedges, said wedges when moved being adapted to adjust said ate with respect to said rockers, and said bolts bein adapted to clamp said end rails to said channel plates, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by a movin vehicle, and said rockers being of a weigiit to restore said gate to a vertical position. 9. The combination with a roadway havng pits on either side thereof, of rockers in said pits and a gate adjustably connected at its end to said rockers, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal osition by a moving vehicle, and said too ers being of a weight to restore said gate to a verheal position, and means for preventing endwise sliding movement of said rockers.

10. The combination with a roadwa having pits on opposite sides thereof; of rockers in said pits and a gate having end posts which are secured to said rockers, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by a moving vehicle, and said rockers being of a weight to restore said gates to a vertical position, and flexible members secured at one end to the respective ends of said rockers, their opposite ends being secured respectively to the o posite ends of the floors of said pits, said exible members preventing endwise sliding movement of said rockers.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HANS H. VVOLFF.

ers in said pits and a gate adjustably secured at its ends to said rockers, and hinged covers connected to said rockers for normally closing said pits, said gate being adapted to lift said gate when moved in tion in contact with the ground by a moving vehicle to permit said vehicle to pass over said gate, said rockers being of a weight to over-balance the weight of the gate and restore it to a vertical position.

6. The combination with rockers having upright members; of a gate slidably connected at its ends to said upright members, and wedges supported on said rockers and adapted to be swung to a horizontal posione direction, to adjust said gate with respect to said rocKers, and means for clamping said gate to said upright members at any point of adjustment, said rockers being of a weight to maintain said gate normally in a vertical position and to swing said gate from a horizontal to a vertical position.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with rockers having upright members, of a gate having end bars slidably connected to said upright members, bolls which pass through slots in said upright members, and holes in said end bars, and wedges supported on said rockers and engaging said bolts thereby to adjust said gate with respect to said rockers, a second bolt which passes through holes in said uprights and slots in said end rails, said bolts being adjusted to clamp said end bars to said uprights in adjusted positions of said gate, said rockers being of a weight to swing said gate to a vertical position, when the same has been swung to a horizontal position, and in contact with the ground, by a moving vehicle.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with rockers having upright channel plates secured thereto; of a gate having vertical end bars which are slidably supported in said channel plates; blocks which rest in said rockers and in between said end rails, bolts which extend through holes in said channel plates and blocks and through slots in said end bars, wedges supported on said blocks, having inclined slots, bolts which pass through slots in said channel plates through holes in said end bars and through the inclined slots in said wedges, said wedges when moved being adapted to adjust said gate with respect to said rockers, and said bolts being adapted to clamp said end rails to said channel plates, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by a moving vehicle, and said rockers being of a weight to restore said gate to a vertical position.

9. The combination with a roadway hav ing pits on either side thereof, of rockers in said pits and a gate adjustably connected at its end to said rockers, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by a moving vehicle, and said rockers being of a weight to restore said gate to a vertical position, and means for preventing endwise sliding movement of said rockers.

10. The combination with a roadway having pits on opposite sides thereof; of rockers in said pits and a gate having end posts which are secured to said rockers, said gate being adapted to be swung to a horizontal position by a moving vehicle, and said rockers being of a weight to restore said gates to a vertical position, and flexible members secured at one end to the respective ends of said rockers, their opposite ends being secured respectively to the opposite ends of the floors of said pits, said flexible members preventing endwise sliding movement of said rockers.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HANS H. lVOLFF.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters P upon the application of Hans H. Wolfl",

in Vehicle-Operated Rocking Gates, requiring strike out the words and syllable be sw'u/ng to a horizontal word adapted strike out the words and insert instead lift said gate when moved in,

correct-ion as follows: Page 4, line5, claim lift said gate when moved in p0si-; same and syllable be swung to a horizontal atent No. 1,579,588, granted April 6, 1926, of Denver, Colorado, for an improvement errors appear in the rinted specification 5, after t e word adapted and insert instead the words line 15, claim 6, after the osi atent and that the said Letters should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of June, A. D. 1926.

[sun] M. J. MOORE, Acting Uommieaioner of Patents Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,579,588, granted April 6, 1926, upon the application of Hans H. Wolff, of Denver, Colorado, for an improvement in Vehicle-Operated Rocking Gates, errors appear in the rinted specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 5, claim 5, after t e word adapted strike out the words lift said gate when moved in and insert instead the Words and syllable be swung to a horizontal [)OSi-f same page, line 15, claim 6, after the word adapted strike out the words and syllable be swung to a horizontal 0siand insert instead lift said gate when moved in; and that the said Letters atent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of J une, A. D. 1926.

[HEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Pawn/ta 

